Mogadishu ( UM) – On Thursday the President undertook a sudden reshuffle of the security agencies which saw his Chief of Staff Fahad Yassin appointed as the Deputy head of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). The reshuffle also brought a new Army Chief who will oversee the critical reforms of the Army.
The reshuffle of the security forces was welcomed by most interviewed by UM but many felt that personalities alone were not enough to make Somalia secure. All felt credible policies were either lacking or not understood by the public.
“I welcome Fahad Yassin at NISA because I believe he can offer some leadership but the problem is bigger than this,” said a NISA officer who did not want to be named. “NISA has many challenges and the worst is the people that work for it. We need better people operating on the ground.”
Another security analyst in Mogadishu who also spoke on the condition of anonymity voiced concern that the real issues were not addressed by the reshuffle. “We can’t always think new faces are enough to change a culture of incompetence and non-accountability for failure. The new appointments are good but the issue of training, financing and professional operational management is missing,” he said.
Many interviewees expressed gratitude for the security offered by the Somali Security services but all agreed, the security challenge will not be won easily. They also agreed that the Somali Government policy was not clear.
“We are hearing of transition plans, taking responsibility back from AMISOM and professionalising the security sector but there is little evidence of any of this,” said Abdi Mohamed Egeh, a Mogadishu resident. “Plans and talk will not make us safe. New faces can’t do this too so we need real action from the Government.”
The current Transition plan to take more responsibility back from AMISOM is already under way with sites like Mogadishu stadium to be transferred to the National Army. Many interviewed questioned whether the Government is ready for this challenge. Others said AMISOM had already stayed too long and the Somali Security forces should accelerate the handover.